AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
TRANSPORTATION REFORM COALITION
and forest products from farms and forests to processing facilities.
IMPACTS OF TRUCK WEIGHT INCREASES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
In 2001 the UK increased maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for 6-axle vehicles from 41 tonnes (90,000 lbs) to 44 tonnes (97,000 lbs). As Chart 1.1 and Table 1.1 indicate, since 2001 truck VMT has been flat while tonnage increased steadily. Historically, tonnage and VMT tracked perfectly, so there is little doubt that the GVW increase was responsible for the change in the trendline.
Charts 5.1 and 5.2 indicate that between 1997 and 2001 truck-involved fatal accidents and accident rates remained essentially unchanged, and in 2002 both began to decline substantially.
While the implications for the U.S. are unclear, based on at least one country's experience, allowing the operation of a 6-axle truck with a GVW of 97,000 pounds could result in reduced VMT, fewer accidents and a lower rate of truck-involved accidents.
Source: United Kingdom Department for Transport, "Transport Statistics Bulletin: Road Freight Statistics 2007." August 2008. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/freight/goodsbyroad/roadfreightstatistics2007
Courtesy American Trucking Associations.
